The ink was barely dried on the Wildrose Party’s announcement that nominations were officially open, when an unlikely candidate stepped forward to let his name stand in the Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre riding.
Constituency president Jason Nixon has taken a leave of absence so he can let his name stand as a candidate for MLA and challenge incumbent Joe Anglin.
Nixon, a 34-year-old accountant and president of Athabasca University Student Union, has thrown his hat into the political ring because he believes the constituents have the right to have a choice as to whom they want for an MLA.
“The feedback I have heard is that people want an MLA who is active, visible and focused on relevant issues. They want an MLA who can work with all levels of government to solve issues that matter.”
Active in the party since 2009 and president of the constituency since the fall of last year, Nixon stands behind the Party’s policies and beliefs and wants the opportunity to serve as MLA to ensure these core values are practiced.
The MLA candidate lives with his wife Tiffany and children, 17-year-old Markus and twins, seven-year-old Chyanne and Austin, about a half an hour from Sundre at Bearberry. As a rural resident, he is undaunted by the huge riding of Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre.
“I’m a rural guy at heart and I’m quite prepared to travel. Every community in the riding would be of equal importance to me.”
Nixon moved to the Sundre area several years ago from Calgary where he was employed by Mustard Seed, a street ministry for the homeless. After leaving Calgary, he was employed as the executive director of Mountain Aire Lodge, an extension of the Mustard Seed, that housed former street people and recovering addicts, helping them to change their lives.
Nixon has a post-secondary diploma in business administration from the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology.
He is looking forward to meeting all the constituents within the riding and chatting about relevant issues and concerns.
The Wildrose Party has announced nominations are now open in 19 constituencies including Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre across Alberta